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Article Title: The Nebraska State Historical Society in 1977

Full Citation: Marvin F Kivett, “The Nebraska State Historical Society in 1977,” Nebraska History 58 (1977): 490-518.

URL of article: http://www.nebraskahistory.org/publish/publicat/history/full-text/NH1977NSHS.pdf

Date: 5/19/2015

Article Summary: The most serious problem facing the Society at the time of this presentation by Director, Marvin F Kivett, was that of inadequate space to properly preserve and interpret the . The presentation includes an update on progress toward construction of a new museum building, as well as updates on publications, membership, the Lincoln Museum, branch museums, archeology, state archives, library, and historic preservation.

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\ " ~" ; " Trl!llSlIrer An/lllr Curmool'. Tr('I/(o1l . addn'sses till' Full Blls;neJS Meeting ill Linco/ll. At IIi, an' Society Dirl'C(f}r Man';" F. Kil'CII . Lil/co/II. alld Prf'sit/r lll M .S. HI'I'riOIlI!. Bel/trier, . .Uh 'low) S pI'uk.!r (It the Fall M j'('tillg was JosI'ph W. 5"dl (s tanding). director f:!f rill' K " " SUS Sttltc His/Qn cal Socil,t.\'. THE NEBRASKA STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY IN 1977

By Marvin F. Kivett, Director Presented In part at the Annual Meeting in Lincoln. September 3. 1977 As we stand on the threshold of the Centennial year for the Society, perhaps this should be a year of reexamination and hopefully some projection into the future as we start our next century. Itwas on August 12, 1878,"that Robert Furnas, who had served as governor of Nebraska from 1873 to 1875, addressed a letter to a number of his fellow Nebraskans to attend a meeting at Lincoln on "some day of the State Fair" to consider the organization of "a historical society." As we look toward this Centennial in 1978, the Society Executive Board has taken a step that comes naturally by authorizing a summary history of the Society. This study will be carried out by Dr. Anne Diffendal of the Archives staff and will appear in a single issue of Nebraska History next year. Overall the most serious problem facing the Society is that of inadequate space to properly preserve and interpret the history of Nebraska. We are the attic and safety deposit box for Nebraska as directed by State laws. I'm pleased to report some progress in the goal of constructing a new museum building near the Capitol in Lincoln, which in turn will provide some additional 30,000 square feet of space in the present building to fill the needs of the State Archives and Library. This last session of the Legislature provided 5160,000 for building plans. Earlier, an amount of 520,000 had been appropriated. Let me stress that no project is assured until final construction funds are appropriated. Some of our members may recall that we once started a building at 16th and H Streets, complete with foundation, in 1908 when additional funding was terminated. It will require the full support of all Nebraskans if a Historical Heritage Center worthy of our history is to become a reality. We are much encouraged by the growth and activities of local historical organizations. A number now occupy modem museum facilities with space greater than that of the State Society. They 491 492 NEBRASKA HISTORY have been of great service to us, and I hope we have provided assistance to them. Our publication program in addition to the quarterly Nebraska History and the monthly News Letter continues in the two general areas of history and anthropology. As you may know, many of these special publications are funded by the Society Foundation. It should be noted that the most recent book-length study Conquering the Great American Desert: Nebraska by Professor Everett N. Dick has been given an Award of Merit by the American Association for State and Local History. The publication program was aided this past year by a special grant of a $25,000 revolving fund from the Woods Charitable Fund, Inc. A second grant in the amount of $10,000 was also made available for museum exhibit work on the dredge boat Meriwether Lewis at Brownville. This, incidentally, is the largest artifact acquired by the Society in its 99-year history. It also promises to be one of the most popular. We have come a long way with the boat, but funds are needed to place it in dry dock. The Spring Meeting was hosted this year by the Adams County Historical Society at Hastings. Awards were made to the following Student-Historian Chapters: Raymond Central, Yu­ tan, Greenwood, Beaver City, Lynch, and Exeter: nearly one thousand students are engaged in this Society-sponsored program. Historiaon-l1ewspaperman Marshall Sprague of Colo­ rado Springs spoke on "Grand Duke Alexis in Nebraska, 1872" at the meeting. One of the Adams County Society leaders, Dorothy W. Creigh, the author of Nebraska: A History, one of fifty official state American Revolution Bicentennial histories published by the American Association for State and Local History. I will not bore you with statistics except to say they increase each year. For example the amount of mail processed has doubled since 1971, as have the number of telephone calls. As director of your Society, I have continued to serveon a variety of boards and commissions. Among these are the Hall of Fame Commission, the Bicentennial Commission, the Hall of Agricultural Achievement, the State Records Board and others. The number of boards and commissions involving the Society and its staff seems to increase each year. Many of these are a result of federal actions which require a state review board for activities involving federal permits, funds, and historical preservation. Edwin FUI/lkner (Ilift). Lincoln. Preside"t of the Nebraska Stare HislOn·cal SOciNY FOllndlltiorl. presents the Addison E. Sheldon Award 10 Wesit:y HI/ ene/cit!. presidem of the Humillon COIlIlf), Historical Suci(·ty . . .(/1('1011') H!lelH'Ji'ld and Miss R //tit Sheldon, dC/lIchter ofA.E. SlteldOI!. Tht' Jmues 1. S(·fI(·rs Memorial A I\'(/rd for tht' b('st (Irtiele ill Nebraska Hiswry ill 1976 1I'('lIt (0 VI'rlmicll 5111' Wal(rrs (It:O) alld Clurr/!'s E, Hanson, Jr, . Clmdmll. for (/rt,ir pap('r on 1hI'jtlr lradl' in Nebraska, At right is M('rrifl J. Maw's, r"tirnl National Park S('n'ic(" lriStOriclfI , , . , (IlI'lo",) Girls SIal" dl'h'gllll' Clrl'ri MIIIII'II. SfJrillRfil'ld, who sen'I'd (IS horrOr/In' Soci('tl' din'ClOr Oil Jmlf' 9, fIlllrl,tl till' Li"culll /l1I1Sl'lIlII lI'ilh Curato; , I Dick SPI'IICl'r, ANNUAL REPORT OF 1977 495

We believe that both agencies and the people of Nebraska will benefit from a working agreement between the Society and the State Game and Parks Commission which was approved by the agencies involved this past year. This provides for the input of the Society in all phases of development for the State Historical Parks administered by the Commission. The Historical Markers program. which is coordinated by the Administrative program. processed fifteen orders for historical markers with subjects ranging from the Golden Link of 1-80 to Ak-Sar-Ben Field and the U.S. Mail. A number of markers were ordered in cooperation with the Department of Roads and Tommy Thompson. coordinator for that department. This excellent program has provided historical markers for 1-80 Rest Areas and Scenic Overlooks. Many other historical markers are sponsored ~y local historical organizations and service groups. The total number stood at 178 on June 30 of this year. Rising costs have forced us to seek other styles of markers which utilize a masonry base and less metal. Your Society operates with four major programs including Administration. Museum. and State Archives. A growing activity is that of the Historic Preservation program. The museum program has. perhaps. the greatest variety of activities. since the goal is to record the significant artifacts of Nebraska people during some 10.000 years of history. Much of this early history must be reconstructed by the archeologist through excavations carried out through the State. A variety of federal programs requiring input from an archeologist have placed increased emphasis in this area.

LINCOLN MUSEUM The Lincoln Museum, under the immediate supervision of Wendell Frantz, continues to have major problems not only in lack of space for exhibit and acquisition of specimens but also in the almost total lack of parking space for museum visitors. Even so, the attendance for 1977 was 49.214. a higher figure than for 1976. A total of 11.130 visitors in 291 groups were given tours by the Education Department at the Society's main Mus~um. Special Christmas. wedding. and seamstress displays at the Statehood Memorial (Kennard House) resulted in increased visitation-II ,537 persons in all. Vladimir Kucera is the curator. 496 NEBRASKA HISTORY

Fairview, the home of , attracted 2,571 visitors. The Educational Division has increased its service to Nebraska teachers and students in the form of information packets and individual mailings, totaling 2,344 pieces. Curator of Education Dick Spencer directs the Student Historian program which includes chapters in twelve towns, to which monthly newsletters are sent. TV spots detailing the Society's functions are also prepared by the department. This year 218 donations were logged from 164 donors. Items cataloged totaled 2,529. Storage within the building for items that require careful environmental control is extremely limited. Adequate storage for other items outside the building is not abundant. The Museum loaned 159 items to twenty-nine institutions and individuals for educational purposes during the year. The collections staff was involved in research for displays and preparation of artifacts for display in the Lincoln Museum, the Court House Rock Mobile Museum and the Kennard House. Increased display work will also put an added load on the Collections Department under Curator of Collections Robert Pettit. Other activities for the Museum staff included answering requests for information on a wide range of historical sUbjects. Identification of objects and of events related to particular objects is often requested. Exhibit areas during the summer included four trailer exhibits as well as the Museum, Bryan and Kennard Houses in Lincoln, the Norris House in McCook, Neligh Mills at Neligh, Neihardt Center at Bancroft, Mud Springs near Dalton, as well as a variety of buildings at . The staff also provides consulting services for displays in local communities. A recent acquisition is the dredge boat Meriwether Lewis at Brownville. It is remarkable that the Exhibits Staff headed by Herbert Thomas has not increased significantly in twenty years; at first its prime responsibility was only the Lincoln Museum.

BRANCHMUSEUMS There are ten branch museums, the oldest, Chimney Rock, having been acquired by the state in April, 1941. In April, 1977, Societ), Registrar Gail DeBuse Potter (dgllt ) alld TV hostess Mih' Seacrest panicipare in filming a KOLN·KGIN TV program, " Woman 's World. "... ,UJe/ow) Society Anist Herb Thomas prepares a Museum display. Examining the Histon"cal Marleerat the Neihardt Cellter, Bancroft, urc Hilda N. Petn" (left), Columbia, Mo., Neihardt's daughter. and Lucy Looles Tk'ice, So, Dale" daughter ofthe poet's In'end, Blacle Elle. Both participated in the August 7 Neihardt Day ceremonies . .. .(Be/ow) Dr. John Chn"stlieb (n"ght), Bellevue. loaned a sen"es of Wes tenl paintings from his collection to the Center for exhibition, Visitors to the Neihardt Center examine the poet's study during Neihardt Day Jestivities . . . . (fJelO Il') Fort Robinson Muselllll Curator Vance Ne lson speaks to CIIltural swdies classes at the Gen'II8 Public School. 500 NEBRASKA HISTORY the Meriwether Lewis. former Corps of Engineers dredge, was delivered to the Society at Brownville after a 432-mile Missouri River voyage from Gasconade, Missouri. A crew of Society personnel manned the boat under the direction of Captain Raymond Holland, who has been retained by the Society as the local curator. Restoring of the Lewis is under way, but we await additional funds to complete dry-docking. The Lewis. open for limited visitation during the summer, attracted 2,320 visitors during April, May, and June. On July 23-24, 1,600 visitors toured the craft. During the year Curator of Branch Museums Carl Hugh Jones traveled nearly 12,000 miles in servicing our installations about the state. Jones, Museum Director Wendell Frantz, and State Game and Parks Commission personnel have visited State Historical Parks in a cooperative effort between the two agencies designed to improve exhibits in park interpretive centers. Jones has served on the Board of the Nebraska Museums Association and the Nebraska Attractions Association. A summary of Branch Museum activities follows: Fort Robinson-Vance Nelson, Curator of the Museum. reported visitors from every state and twenty-one foreign countries. with 31.381 having registered at the museum in the Post Headquarters Building. and 15.409 at the six restored installations and Red Cloud Indian Agency. One thousand students attended School Field Days; thirty-eight film programs attracted 935 persons. 625 of whom took lamplight tours of the fort; 2.591 visitors in 95 groups (mainly school classes) were given tours. Curator Nelson hosted six receptions and one "interpretive dinner" and has been active in representing the Society in the Fort Robinson area. A film on the Negro 9th and 10th Cavalry at Fort Robinson containing photographs from the Society's coIlections has been produced. Increasingly, researchers are using the fort library. Major restoration of the Veterinary Hospital has begun. and a museum of the "Horse on the Great Plains" is projected. Senator George W. Norris Home. McCook-Mrs. Irma John and her student assistants greeted 1,759 visitors during the year, the majority of whom came during the summer when the museum was open fifty hours per week. Neligh Mills. Neligh-At the close of its fifth year of operation. Curator Thomas Buecker reported 2,865 visitors during the year. Attendance trends during 1977 indicated a larger number for ·,( 1Ilt/0:) 1/!.I.1OfV 'l.Io d ;)8/1.I.I[I .1 1);1 11 'J{ :J 0H W'[ plill (If,1/) >t :'W l! ,1f/lOf/ 1.1 1111:) ;).13,1\ [L6 1 II! S, );) /I/d :J,'.I0 1S,' H JO .I,IJS,l tJ.J U IVlW,IIDN ai/I 11 0 I },I:J /)/d (" WI " (/) , , • 'iJ lI"[ II! JII!,W ,\\O.I(J 10 'IUiJ q SJOJOdllliJl SI.' OIU! pa,lolu Sf ',uapos il l/I ,{q p iJ.I! lIb:J D /Voq .IiJ" ,1H .u/lorr!w 'S!,"';'Yl J::I41a,"'JlaV'l u!eld~J

1978 may be expected. Group tours have increased in number following a campaign to attract school classes to the Museum. Improvements have been made on the restored flume, penstock, and head gates of the Mill's 1919-1920 waterpower setup. John G. Neihardt Center, Bancroft-Neihardt Day on August 1, attracted over 800 persons. Other special events have included the Nebraska Writers' Guild meeting, the Bancroft Public School Art Show, and a flag display on June 14. Visitation totaled 5,588 people, a yearly increase of 88 percent. Curator John Lindahl reports the donation of Marxhausen's "Tree of Life" mobile by the Neihardt family. As the popularity of the Center grows, so does the size of its accession of Neihardt materials. A cooperative project between this Society, the Neihardt Foundation, and Wayne State College has been started. Wayne State is seeking a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to support an educational program focusing on Neihardt, Nebraska's late Poet Laureate (1921-1973). Chimney Rock National Historic Site, near Bayard-This famous landmark on the Overland Trail consists of eighty-three acres owned by the Society. The site is administered with the help of the National Park Service and the city of Bayard, which provided the Society a Museum trailer site near the Rock. The trailer was visited by 20,299 individuals, about half of them from Nebraska, an increase of 37 percent over the previous year. Mobile Museum No. I-This exhibit trailer, located in the Grand Island 1-80 west-bound rest area, recorded 14,469 visitors. During the summer months and in the fall of 1977 it appeared at the Nebraska State Fair. The trailer contains exhibits which provide a condensed history of Nebraska through artifacts, pictures, maps, and text. Mobile Museum No.2-Located in the Maxwell-Brady eastbound rest area of 1-80, the trailer recorded 8,775 visitors during the season. At the 1976 State Fair an estimated 22,000 tourists visited the trailer, giving it for the third year the highest visitation of the mobile museums, though it had the lowest of the three at its summer station. Mobile Museum No.4-Remodeled from a 1956 house trailer to an exhibit trailer in 1977, it was used during the summer at Seybolt Park on Nebraska Highway 88 south of Bridgeport as an interpretive center for Court House and Jail Rocks. Sixteen different exhibits were worked into the 25-foot long trailer. Patricia Gaster. EdilOn'al Assistant. and L.G. DeLay. Historian. preparing Society material for publication . ...Vance Nelso ll exhibits a fireplace popcom popper us he cO l/ducts a "Toys of the Past" tour (If Fort Robillsol/ . 504 NEBRASKA HISTORY

ARCHEOLOGY This report details the major activities of Staff Archeologist Gayle F. Carlson and Highway Salvage Archeologist Terry L. Steinacher. Highway Salvage excavations at DeSoto, a former territorial town (ca. 1855-1870), were completed in 1976. The remains of six buildings were excavated, as were six other archeological features of undetermined function. Information was also recorded on twelve structural remains that were not excavated and on five other archeological features. Most of the excavated building remains appear to relate to the commercial district. Artifacts recovered suggest one might have been a dry goods store, and another a saloon. The functions of the other buildings excavated may become clearer after a more detailed examination. Salvage excavations were carried out at a prehistoric Indian house in Sarpy County in May-July, 1977. The remains of one semi-subterranean earthlodge measured 33 to 34 feet with an entryway 31 feet long. The lodge was excavated by squares in order to gain insights into activity areas within the dwelling, and micro-recovery techniques were utilized. Artifacts recovered suggest a Nebraska Phase Occupation, ca. A.D. 1050 to 1350. Excavations were conducted on the remains of a structure at Ash Hollow State Historical Park in August, 1977. Mr. Carlson directed a five-man crew supplied by the Game and Parks Commission. Unearthed were the remains of a building 30 feet square, possibly of log construction. Artifacts recovered, though not numerous, suggest that the structure dates to the mid-19th century. A detailed study will be necessary before identification can be made. During this period 52 proposed highway projects were reviewed, field surveys conducted, and eighteen new archeologi­ cal sites recorded. A number of county road projects were reviewed for their effect on the State's historic resources. In August, 1976, the final report on an archeological, architectural, and historical survey conducted for the proposed Great Plains Power Station near Doniphan was completed. The survey had been completed in June, 1976. In October, 1976, salvage work associated with dam construction near Columbus by the Lower Platte Natural Resources District was conducted. Salvage at the dam, built near a Central Plains Tradition earthlodge Village, A.D. 1200 to 1400, Archeological crew members excavating exploratory cross trenches in a prehiston·c In dial! earthlodge depression (Site 25SY3J) jowl! ojGretrm in Sarpy COlillty {fu n·"c rh e Slimmer of 1977.

Completely excavated earthlodge )1oor. Til e elltrallce to the "Olue is ,.jsible jn the backgrou"d. 506 NEBRASKA HISTORY

produced a small amount of cultural material believed to represent activity areas near the village. A report on this work has been completed. In November, 1976, Mr. Carlson: (1) Assisted by Arthur Carmody, Trenton, examined a Hitchcock County site disturbed by house construction. Also visited were sites in Hayes, Red Willow, and Furnas counties, including an outcrop area of Republican River jasper on a probable aboriginal quarry site. (2) Assisted by Ralph Hartley conducted salvage investigations at Santee, where earthlodge remains were uncovered during construction of housing. The partial remains of two Central Plains tradition earthlodges, ca. A.D. 1200 to 1400, were identified and some salvage work was performed. Since no further damage was anticipated complete excavation was not attempted. In June, 1977, a crew of five working at the earthlodge site near Gretna (2SSY31) spent one day at the Moses Merrill Mission site. Examined were remains of what was believed to be a mission building. Though the area had been disturbed by a bulldozer, it was possible to determine that a stone 60x70-foot foundation had been present. Another archeological project was completed at the Cabanne fur-trading post (1819·1833) in Douglas County by Richard Jensen, Preservation Archeologist, and Ronald Kivett, Curator of Ethnology.

STATEARCHIVES The State Archives Department is under the guidance of James Potter. A problem noted here, as in all department reports, is that of adequate space to carry out the assigned responsibilities. The author Alex Haley's best-selling Roots and other related genealogical works and histories have sparked a demand by patrons on our facilities that have exceeded our ability to provide full service. During the year some two hundred patrons were unable to read microfilm, without appointments, since all equipment was in use. Perhaps one of the more significant actions taken by the Society Executive Board in the Archives was the approval of an agreement with the State College Board for the establishment of Branch Archives at Kearney and Chadron State Colleges. It is expected that similar agreements will be made for other State Ni1:It"'/IY Salvagl' arch/'olllgical eXCIII'llfioIlS ill progress (1/ the Dd'oto Sift! (25 WN16) sOllth ofHlair, The Fori Ca/hollll Nile/ear P OII'/'r SllItioll is ,·isible in the buckgrollnd, , . .(Below) Examilling Ih e time Cal)sll/e prescflfed to the State ofNebraska by the ReYllolds Mewls Compa"y dlln'ng the Bicellteflllial year arc 0011 Searcy (left>. ExeClltil'l! Director. Nebraska AmeriClln Rem/lllioll IJicellt/'/llIiai Commission; ft1an'ill F. Kil'I'II. Society Director: Gm'emor J. James /:.XOII: //lld Richard L /luilllille. rep;csr'lIIi"C Ill e Rcynolds Mcwls Com puny. 508 NEBRASKA HISTORY

Colleges. This can be a major step toward providing greater area service to the people of Nebraska. At the request of the Society Executive Board, Governor Exon has appointed a nine-member Nebraska Historical Records Advisory Board with the Society Director as Chairman. This Board will act in compliance with the National Historical Publications and Records Commission to review grant applications from Nebraska for federal funds to aid in the preservation of records. Eleven courthouses were visited to appraise or acquire significant material by Assistant Archivist Donald Snoddy. Naturalization records, tax lists, and voter lists were among the records transferred to the Archives. Records were accessioned from fourteen state agencies and the move of many agencies to the state office building required consultation by the staff. Files transferred included records of the Nebraska American Revolution Bicentennial Commission, 1972-1977: brand books from the Secretary of State, 1899-1955; minutes of the Liquor Control Commission, 1972-1977; railroad assess­ ments of the Board of Equalization and Assessment, 1914-1966; minutes of the Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation Committee, 1936-1970; and records of the Public Service Commission. An additional 7,726 rolls ofsecurity microfilm were deposited from state and local agencies, bringing the total to nearly 25,000 rolls. The Microfilm Division. supervised by Jo Smith. carries on microfilming of Nebraska newspapers. public records. church records. and manuscripts and assists thousands of patrons in rese'arch projects. Our collection of 21,000 rolls of film was used by 5,848 persons. Photocopies numbering 12,600 were made in response to personal and mail requests. Consideration must be given to dividing pubilc service and technical microfilming functions because of increasing use of the collection. Special microfilm projects included: Ricker tablets of Indian and pioneer interviews; Lancaster County naturalization records. 1870-1905; Hastings city directories. 1882-1975; records of fourteen churches; and Burlington Railroad land-sale records. Thirty-two newspaper titles were filmed or brought up to date. The morning Omaha World-Herald microfilm for 1955-1967 was purchased. Manuscript Curators Anne Diffendal and David Hoober contacted numerous individuals and organizations about The Histon·cal Society prol·ides facilities wherc patrons may read nCWS/lap('rS Oil microfilm.

Stall' Archil'ist Jim Paller (richtl lind plltron Ron Briel exami" e all 1865 iSSlle of Ihe Nebraska City News. 510 NEBRASKA HISTORY possible donations of manuscript material to the Archives. In 1977 the voluminous files of former Senator Roman L. Hruska were transferred to the Society. Other acquisitions are records of the Omaha YWCA, 1893-1973; Lincoln General Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association, 1926-1976; papers and diaries of Orville Ralston, Nebraska's only World War I flying "ace," and the legislative files of State Senators Gary Anderson, Wallace Barnett, and Robert Clark. Research interests ran the gamut from genealogy and local history to scholarly studies resulting in books, articles, and instructional films. Significant topics for which the collections were used included U.S.-China policy after World War II; the landscaping of the Nebraska State Capitol; third party political movements in Nebraska in the 19th century; aviation history: women in the West; and Nebraska women writers. Four forthcoming books about 's work drew upon archival sources and demonstrated the continuing interest in Cather's work. A Department of the Interior researcher consulted plat books, land records, and original diaries and letters for a study of the flora and fauna of the Platte Valley in the 19th century. The John G. Bourke Collection was intensively studied in the preparation of a biography of his life. The University of Mid-America used a variety of sources in the preparation of an instructional film focusing on the settlement of Custer County, Nebraska. Extensive data from our files was provided for a National Survey of Women's History Sources conducted by the University of Minnesota. LIBRARY Library activities supervised by Librarian Ann Reinert reflect increased public service and emphasis upon preservation of fragile materials and photographs. Of 6,077 visitors, 10 percent represented thirty-eight other states and four foreign countries. Subjects researched included the Grange, postal history, , ranching, Irish and Polish immigrants, military insignia, the Platte River, the Villasur Expedition. and the weather. A shift of interest to family historical research. due partly to the Bicentennial. was noted. There were 5 percent more visitors using our library reference collection: two-thirds of the patrons registering genealogical interest came prior to June, 1977. There was a 15 percent increase in letters and telephone calls, but a 40 ANNUAL REPORT OF 1977 511

percent increase in questions concerning Nebraska records by persons interested in family history. The Library and Photo Room staff handled an increase of 26 percent for all reference activity. or slightly over to.OOO queries. The Photo Room showed a 15 percent decline in patrons; however. 1.785 or 5 percent more photographs than last year were provided to patrons. The DuPont Winterthur Museum. Wilmington. Delaware. purchased a large number of prints for their research collection of decorative arts. The University of Mid-America. a group of state universities including University of Nebraska-Lincoln. filmed a documentary on Great Plains settlement. primarily using the Butcher Collection of Custer County sod house and family photographs. Other fields of photographic interest included Willa Cather. threshing. Indians of the Great Plains. windmills. early-day street scenes. bank interiors. and Susette LaFlesche. Mrs. Opal Jacobson. who managed the photograph collections for eight years. has retired. and John Carter filled the newly created position of Curator of Photographs. He has begun a program of preservation using acid-free paper storage material as well as enclosing original prints in protective plastic. Others who played roles in improving the management of our collection were Harriet Willmeng. library-science student at Nebraska Wesleyan University. who helped reorganize the subject authority tile: Mrs. Olive Moore. retired staff member who typed our worn shelf list: and Barbara Ley. who in addition to regular duties. aides in the encapsulation of photographs. Donations to our photo collection numbered approximately 4.000 items. while many others were loaned for copying. Collections donated included 171 photographs of early libraries. 161 photographs of early aeronautics. t03 photographs during the 1930·s. and 86 post-World War I scenes of Omaha. Others included World War I photographs. road construction in northeast Nebraska. farm machinery. and twenty photographs of theater productions at the University of Nebraska. Fragile. low-use books. duplicate copies of rare books and pamphlets. as well as our retrospective collection of state publications. are being preserved in a secure area. Maps are receiving the same attention given to fragile photographs. These preservation steps are of necessity long-term projects. due to limited staff and the large number of items. The lack of storage and work space is becoming increasingly critical. Members ofthe Ellglish Department. Mornillgside College. Sioux City, Iowa, lOured the Library alld Archives ill July, alld conferred with Society Research Associate Paul Riley Vorlnh f rom left), Manuscripts Cllrator Anile Diffe/ldal (fifth from left), and Librariall Arm Reillert (n'ghr), , , ,(JJe/oll') Library Indexer LaVOTIIl c Fle t che~,

NEBRASKA NEWSPAPER INDEX -- .1 -~J Historic Preservatioll SftlJJ m embers WilliulII F. M II IIII. Grants Admilli.urlUor. al/d Richard E. Jensen. Cllft/ror of Anthropology ... W e/ow ) Celebratillg a sllccessfid JUlie 4 Spring M eelille in Hastings are (from lefl) Adams Cormtifllls Joe K.l'iI!.· LII Peterson; Nebraska Slaff! Historica/ Socil,tv EX f'c lllive /J o(lfd Mf'mber Charles C. Osbome; Thf'lmu FiC/h'r: EIlI' 1I Rilcltey; (1m/Dorot hy WeYf!r CreiRh. 514 NEBRASKA HISTORY

Time has been generously donated by volunteers. During the year 1.400 hours of volunteer time was spent on indexing and typing projects. Mrs. Melvin Gulley typed obituary cards for the Newspaper Index and members of the Lincoln-Lancaster Genealogical Society compiled name indexes to several biographical volumes. and began a genealogical information file. Library accessions were received from 245 donors. Included were thirty-one Nebraska institutional. county. community, and church histories and fifty-seven family histories or biographies. Cemetery enumerations received included listings from Dodge Coqnty, compiled by Mrs. Clarabelle Mares and the Eastern Nebraska Genealogical Society: burials in thirty-three cemeteries were researched. At our branch libraries fourteen editions written by John G. Neihardt-including a rare poetic volume. The Wind Gods Wooing, and seven photographs of him-were donated to the Neihardt Center at Bancroft. Additional reference books were added to the Library in the Fort Robinson Museum. Staff members, including Paul Riley, John Carter. and Ann Reinert, presented seven programs to special groups and gave fifteen major orientation discussions of the Library's resources. In addition they took part in radio presentations and TV appearances and were members of four panel discussion groups. Ann Reinert is a member of the Nebraska Library Commission's Oearinghouse Advisory Committee and secretary of the Special Libraries Section of the Nebraska Library Association.

HISTORlCPRESERVATION

The state Historic Preservation office under the direction of William F. Munn has continued its historic buildings survey. expanding into Nemaha. Webster. Custer. Burt, and Cuming Counties. Intensive surveys were carried out in Boyd County. Grand Island. and Brownville in connection with federally assisted projects. Archeological surveys were made in Boyd County and at Court House Rock. The ruins of WWI Antioch potash plants were surveyed in preparation for nomination to the National Register. Sixteen nominations were submitted to the Register and twelve nominations from previous years were enrolled. including three historic districts in Nebraska City. A s part of (/ 1977 Jiiston"ca! alld architectural summer s1Irvey. Society Architect Df/l'id Murphy examilles tht! Prop barll. Cuss CoulI/y" lIh'lolI") Statl, Historic Prl'sen'atiOll DB icer M an 'ill F" Kiwm illspects restorat iO Il work 0 11 the V eten "fUll)' Hospiwl buildillg at Fort RobinsO fl" RI'located this rcar 011 u sill.! m ore accessible to Sa/ll/dcrs CO/lrltiuIIS was this marker c~mm e lll ora'illg the 1855 council betweel/ the State of Nebraska and the Pawnee IrldiallS. It wusfirsr erected by the State of Nebrasktl (/ful the City ojFrcllloflt ill 1905. Pictllrcd fjTOm " ift) are Cu rl Nygren. Chlrt'II C ' ~ Hal/sell. GordOI/ H. Milfer. (///(I two SOliS of the Stlrlllliers C,~':';~';,:~:;;;'" ~:;~; ,~;lo,;~ Gurjidd CO l/lily f1 iSlOricui Marker c/f'dicatiull {jf Pilot Clwrft's Zlmgger ofNonh Loup in the cockpit ofa 1929 Arrow Spon plam' /Jrlrchased by the Society FOIIl/datioll ill 1977... .(fJelow) Makillg the first cOllfribllriol/ towart! tht' plam"s pllrchusj' art· Dr. alld Mrs. Roy S. Crt/III (dgllt) Bllnn'l/, pictured I·,il" ZWlg}JI'r: Soch'ry Director kf(ln'ill F. Kil'l'lt: (///(/ Bllmlmlll YllIt'S, Lil/col" AI'I'lllioll History Clli/) IIII'mlll'r {lIIC/.IiuuJ dril'«' pflnicipllll r. , .' 518 NEBRASKA HISTORY

Federal participation dropped to $187.758 from the previous year's $230.000 due to a cutback in the Congressional appropriation: however. it appears the current allocation may be nearly doubled due to authorization for funding the historic preservation program from continental shelf oil lease revenue. Another encouraging factor is a new method of determining a state's allocation from the total appropriation~ach state will receive a minimum. with additional funds being allocated based on spending levels for the previous three years. During the year ending June 30. 1977. federal grants-in-aid projects were in progress at Fort Robinson, Neligh. Sidney. Kearney. Omaha. Santee. Brownville. . Fairbury. Nebraska City. and Ponca. These include restoration of the Veterinary Hospital at Fort Robinson and the Ferguson House in Lincoln by the Society, as well as reconstruction of an 1820's barracks at Fort Atkinson by the State Game and Parks Commission. This office has reviewed over 1.000 federally funded or licensed projects during the year. many of which were related to the Local Public Works Employment Act. administered by the Economic Development Administration of the Department of Commerce. Another piece of federal legislation. the Tax Reform Act of 1976. will require the Historic Preservation staff to review rehabilitation projects to determine whether or not they qualify for tax considerations. The staff was increased by one professional. enabling the publication of a preservation newsletter. It will be sent to government agencies. planners. preservation organizations. and others with interest in our activities.